Winter Blues Guide

Here's How You're Going To Survive Winter This Year

It's colder, it gets dark at 4 PM, and so people tend to get a little case of the winter blues at this time of year. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a mood disorder that affects nearly 10% of people in regions like southern Canada and the northern United States. But even if you don’t have SAD, winter can still be a complete bummer. We want to help. Here are some things to do and items to buy that may help you deal with the season's cold realities.

Need a pair of gloves to fight off the cold? If you have more questions about how to get set for the winter, check out our Q&A featuring answers to all your questions about winter gloves, coats and more.

Indoor

Via: AmazonPhilips goLITE

You’ve seen those unwieldy, odd-looking SAD lights before, but nobody wants a light in their home that looks like it belongs in a doctor’s office. This light therapy device from Philips is sharply designed, small, portable and, best of all, powerful. It emits a blue light like a summer sky that helps increase your energy level. Use it for 15-45 minutes a day, and you could be back to your old self again.$159.90 on Amazon

Via: GNC

Vitamin D Supplement

Vitamin D is essential when the sun goes down at 4:00 p.m. and you’re stuck indoors under fluorescent light all day. Vitamin D maintains healthy bones, regulates your immune system, keeps the common cold away and also provides nutrients you would regularly get from the sun.$12.49 on Amazon

Via: Dyson

Dyson AM04 Fan Heater

A heater alone won’t fix your case of the winter blues, but it won’t hurt either. This Dyson fan heater has no spinning blades or visible heating elements and comes with a handy remote control. When it starts to warm up, it’s also a cooling fan.$320.98 on Amazon

Handpresso Auto E.S.E

While you're inside your car, and it's freezing outside, a hot espresso goes a long way. For the person who really likes coffee and spends hours every day in the car, an automatic espresso maker that fits in your car's cupholder and plugs into the 12V outlet is the perfect winter pick-me-up.$162.94 on Amazon

Via: Amazon

Yoga

If you haven’t considered yoga before, you may want to consider it now. Yoga’s combined benefits of physical activity, focus on breathing, and meditation make it an effective tool in the battle with stress and depression. This men’s yoga kit gives you all the things you need to do yoga at your local class or at home.$123.50 on Amazon

Via: Amazon

The Ski House Cookbook: Warm Winter Dishes for Cold Weather Fun

If you've got the winter blues, it’s almost a sure thing that a warm, hearty meal will make you feel better. Think about it: Are you going to feel amazing after you eat a microwave dinner or bad Chinese food you ordered in? The satisfaction you’ll get from spending a few hours cooking up a roasted pork loin or beef chili will put you in a better mood. The Ski House Cookbook offers tips on getting the most out of making easy, comforting, and satisfying winter meals.$123.50 on Amazon

Check out the winter sport gear you'll need to make the most of winter on the next page.